In my previous life, on the first day my lost sister Layla Harris returned home, I heard her inner voice.
She thought to herself, Back by the river, watching other kids have their dads teach them to swim, I really wished someone would take me just once. The water must feel so cool, right?
The next day, I drove her to the cleanest part of the river in the countryside and taught her how to float and swim.
She suddenly screamed and sank abruptly.
I desperately dove underwater to pull her up, but she clung tightly to my arm, dragging me deeper.
In the end, I forcefully pushed her to the shore, but I passed out from choking on water.
Amid the piercing sirens of the ambulance, she curled up in my mother Aurora Harris's arms, coughing violently and crying heartbreakingly.
Aurora slapped me, while my father Miles Harris's eyes were filled with disappointment.
He said, "Shes been wandering outside for over ten years, suffering a lot. You come back and try to drown her right away."
I had so much to say but couldnt defend myself.
Later, she was harassed by thugs outside the school.
I "heard" her desperate cries again.
She said in her heart, "He said if he doesnt see me tonight, hell burn down my familys garage. Naomi, help me. Only you can save me." Naomi Harris is my name.
I grabbed a stick and rushed to the small woods behind the school.
But she didnt come.
Those thugs, with cruel laughter, easily took away my stick.
The leader of the thugs pinned me down by the pond.
He said, "Don't blame us. It was your dear sister Layla who paid half a million dollars for your life."
"She said, as long as you're dead, the hundreds of millions in inheritance will all be hers."
Before the suffocation consumed me, I saw Layla slowly step out from behind a tree not far away. Her dress was pure white, and her face showed no expression.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Layla was brought home.
*****
She looked at me fearfully, her inner voice echoing.
Layla thought to herself, "I really want to swim. If only Naomi could take me swimming."
After hearing Layla's inner voice again, I finally confirmed that I had truly been reborn.
Looking at the seemingly harmless Layla in front of me, I just couldn't believe she wanted to kill me.
Right after, her inner voice came through again.
She thought to herself, "Back by the river, I saw other kids being taught how to swim. If only Naomi could teach me."
Hearing the exact same inner voice as in my previous life, I couldn't help but feel a bit concerned.
Recalling the drowning incident in my past life, I decided to pretend I didn't hear it this time.
Seeing no reaction from me, Layla's eyes showed a hint of confusion.
Then, she blinked at me and softly said, "Naomi, it's so hot. Can you take me to play in the water? I want to learn how to swim."
I was a bit surprised but still said, "If it's hot, just turn on the air conditioner. It's not safe to go into the water during this season; accidents can easily happen."
Layla was visibly a bit disappointed but didn't say anything further.
Seeing this, I also breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Layla doesn't get into trouble this time, perhaps the subsequent events won't happen.
But just when I thought this matter was over, the unexpected still happened.
Perhaps Layla actively asked Miles and Aurora, and surprisingly, Miles and Aurora rarely organized a family picnic by the lake in the park.
That day, I had a bad feeling.
So, I sat alone by the lake, trying to stay as far away from Layla as possible.
But she somehow appeared beside me without me noticing.
At Miles and Aurora's request, I had to split my attention to keep an eye on her.
But in the moment Miles and Aurora turned away, Layla pretended to slip and fell into the lake.
I was startled by the sudden situation and hurriedly shouted, "Layla, be careful!"
Miles heard the commotion and turned around, quickly jumping into the water to save her, while Aurora stayed put and dialed emergency services.
I was so scared that my face turned pale. I only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Miles rescue Layla.
Miles held the barely conscious Layla and asked with concern, "Layla, tell us. What happened just now?"
Layla glanced at me and didnt dare to speak.
Seeing this, Miles immediately pressed further.